OHA joins other businesses in Step Up Oklahoma effort on state revenue

Posted on: 1/17/18

Last week, OHA joined an effort by a group of non-partisan Oklahoma business leaders to raise state revenue called Step Up Oklahoma. Below is a position statement the OHA board endorsed in November 2017. The OHA revenue statement is important because it provides the basis for the OHA name being used in support of a revenue package proposed through Step Up Oklahoma.

The group of business leaders has been meeting for several weeks to arrive at a “package deal” to pitch to the Legislature, planned for the continuing special session in January before the regular session begins in February. It includes the $1.50 per pack increase in the cigarette tax and taxes on other tobacco products, as well as other revenue-raising measures upon which OHA has not taken any position. The package also includes a list of proposed “governmental reforms.”  While OHA has no concern over many of the reforms, we will work more closely with others on the list during the regular session.  

It is likely these leaders may reach out to specific health care organizations, including hospitals, seeking their endorsement and joining of Step Up Oklahoma. For more information on the revenue and reform proposals, click here.

OHA Revenue Statement - The Oklahoma Hospital Association supports revenue measures that increase the state’s ability to fully fund the cost of vital health care programs, including Medicaid, behavioral health, public health and other core state services, to ensure a healthier Oklahoma and thriving economy. The OHA supports immediately increasing the cigarette tax to $1.50 per pack dedicated to health care services as an important measure for enactment to reduce medical costs, keep 2,100 Oklahoma youth from becoming addicted in this year and save lives.

For an Oklahoman article on the Step Up Oklahoma effort, click here. (Sandra Harrison)